Slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the same

ABSTRACT

A slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the same is disclosed wherein the slide fastener chain includes a pair of carrier tapes with interlocking elements on adjacent edges thereof and portions of the tapes are compacted to constitute strips or bands arresting fiber slippage of the tape fabrics.

United States Patent Moertel May 27, 1975 [5 SLIDE FASTENER AND METHODAND 2,940,478 6/1960 Hendley 24/205.16 R

APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME 3,482,290 12/1969 Uhl'ig 24/211516 C3.590281 7/1971 Van Amburg 139/384 B Inventor: George Moertel,Conneautvflle. 3.711903 1/1973 Brown 24/205116 n P a FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS [731 Asslgnee: Pmvldenm 939,122 10/1903 United Kingdom 242051 R [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1972 Appl. No.: 289,852

U.S. Cl. 24/205.l6 R; 139/384 Int. Cl 1. A44b 19/02 Field of Search24/205.16 R, 205.16 C, 24/205.1 C; 139/384 B References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 5/1949 Kolbert et al. 139/384 B 9/1953 Poux 24/205.16 R

Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Darrell Marquette [57]ABSTRACT A slide fastener and method and apparatus for making the sameis disclosed wherein the slide fastener chain includes a pair of carriertapes with interlocking elements on adjacent edges thereof and portionsof the tapes are compacted to constitute strips or bands arresting fiberslippage of the tape fabrics.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU HAYZ 7 I975 SHEET 2 or 3 SHEET 30?3 FIGS FIG. 8

SLIDE FASTENER AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to slide fasteners and to a method andapparatus for making the same, and, more particularly, to theconstruction of chain for such slide fasteners.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Conventional slide fastener devices have long been encumbered with theproblems of wear caused by abrasion between the slider and carriertapes, of binding between the slider and interlocking elements, and oflateral stress on the chain caused by the wearer of a garment in whichthe slide fastener device is installed.

US. Pat. No. 1,947,508 is representative of the prior art inillustrating a fabric for the tapes of a slide fastener woven to presenta flexible cord of reduced cross section between the bead and the flatsection of the tape; however, reduction of such cord thickness isaccomplished by variations in the particular weave of the fabric, whichstill permits fiber slippage when the fabric threads are laterallystressed.

None of the prior art devices contain any recognition and/or solution ofthe condition known as fiber slippage which occurs when tensile loadingis applied to the textile matrix of the slide fastener chain. Thiscondition causes stretching and separation of the threads forming thefabric of the chain tapes and results in faulty operation of the slidefastener as well as a reduction of the normal life of the slidefastener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is summarized in that aslide fastener is constructed so as to include a pair of carrier tapes,an edge portion on each carrier tape with such edge portions beingoppositely disposed to each other, interlocking elements on each edgeportion with the interlocking elements on one edge portion adapted to beengaged and disengaged with the interlocking elements on the other edgeportion, and compacted portions on said carrier tapes formingchannelized sections extending longitudinally with and spaced from theedge portions.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the wear and binding ofthe components of a slide fastener.

Another object of this invention is to construct the chain of a slidefastener with compacted portions disposed parallel to the edges of thechain tapes.

It is another object of this invention to rearrange the textile matrixon portions of tapes on a slide fastener chain.

The present invention has another object in that portions of the warpand weft threads of the tapes on a slide fastener are compacted into aninterlocking arrangement.

This invention has another object in that the tapes of a slide fastenerchain are provided with barrier strips to arrest fiber slippage of thetape fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to make a slide fastenerchain by ultrasonically hammering portions of the chain against an anvilto arrange the textile matrix thereof into an interlocked network.

It is another object of the present arrangement to construct apparatusfor making slide fastener chain with a chain feeding mechanism and withan ultrasonic device for deforming the feed chain.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a slide fastenerchain making apparatus with anvil and hammering elements and with aguide element protecting the interlocking elements of the slidefastener.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of aslide fastener embodying the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 witha detail added;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of another detail taken along line44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of certain details of FIG. 5',

FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofa detail of FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a modification of the apparatusof FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As is illustrated in FIG. I, thepresent invention is embodied in a slide fastener, indicated generallyat If),

including a pair of carrier tapes l2 and 14 with longitudinallyextending edges 16 and 18, respectively. A conventional slider 19 islongitudinally moved for engaging and disengaging a series ofinterlocking elements 20 and 22 secured to the tape edges 16 and [8,respectively. The interlocking elements 20 and 22 may be made of anysuitable material such as metal or plastic; in connection with thepresent invention, the elements 20 and 22 have been made of Nylonmaterial with each set 20 (or 22) being formed of a continuous filamentand each interlocking element having a coiled configu ration. In oneparticular slide fastener constructed according to the presentinvention, the tape edges 16 and 18 were defined by cords or beads whichare enlarged in cross-section relative to thickness of the carrier tapesl2 and 14.

The carrier tapes l2 and 14 have identical components, so only one tapewill be described in detail. While the tape 12 may be knitted, sewn orwoven, the textile matrix of a woven tape section is illustrated in FIG.3 wherein the carrier tape 12 may be made of any suitable material suchas plastic and/or cotton threads; e.g., a plastic material such as Nylonor polyester may be used solely or in a blend with natural fibers. Inone particular construction embodying the present invention, warpthreads were made of Nylon and weft or filler threads were made ofcotton.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the major portion of the woven carrier tape 12includes warp threads 23 interlaced on weft threads 24; upon completionof the weaving operation the warp threads 23 have a generally sinuous,semi-circular configuration while the weft threads 24 are circular incross-section. Minor portions of the warp and weft threads 22 and 24 arecompacted into noncircular configurations; as is shown in FIG. 14, thenon-circular warp threads 25 form a generally rectangular zig-zagconfiguration while the non-circular weft threads 26 are generallyrectangular in cross-section. The non-circular warp and weft threads 25and 26 are thus flattened or reduced in thickness to define a com pactedportion forming a channelized section 27 on the carrier tape 12, with asimilar channelized section 28 shown on the other carrier tape 14 inFIGS. I and 2. The channelized sections 27 and 28 are located adjacentthe tape edges 16 and 18, respectively, and extend longitudinallytherewith (see FIG. 1) for the length of the slide fastener 10.

Since the channelized sections 27 and 28 are compacted toward theircentral areas, each such section defines a front and a rear channel inwhich the front and rear side flanges of the slider 19 are slidablydisposed. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the side flanges of the slider 19are disposed in channels of the tapes 12 and 14 and are slidably movabletherealong without binding interference between the slider and thetapes.

The channelized tapes have the particular advantages of eliminating theneed for close tolerances between the side flanges of the slider wherebymanufacturing costs are reduced, and of assuring closure of the interlocking elements 20 and 22 during slider movement. In addition, thechannelized sections 27 and 28 presents present increased bearing areafor the inner surfaces of the slider side flanges, so that any contacttherebe tween subjects the slide fastener to only minimal unit pressurewhereby the operational and life characteristics of the slide fastenerare increased.

In accordance with the present invention, the warp and weft threads 25and 26 are interlocked with each other and thereby have a higherresistance to fiber slippage than is possible with undeformed warp andweft threads of the type shown in FIG. 3. Thus the channelized sections27 and 28 serve as barriers to prevent execssive slippage of the fibers.The importance of this feature becomes apparent when the slide fasteneris subject to high lateral stress as occurs when the garment isundersized for the wearer and/or when the wearer stretches the garmentby stooping, exercising or the like. Such high lateral stress wouldcause separation of the yarns in the textile matrix as shown in FIG. 3;however, by altering the physical engagement of the yarns to theinterlocked matrix as shown in FIG. 4, any relative movement between theyarns is greatly restricted at the lateral stress levels normallyencountered by action of the garment in which the slide fastener isinstalled.

The compacted channelized sections 27 and 28 constitute longitudinalbands serving as barriers to prevent excessive fiber slippage of chaintapes and related slide fastener failure. While such barrier bands areillus trated as elongated rectangular strips in plan view, it is to beunderstood that other configurations and/0r patterns may be utilized,for example, such elongated strip may have a zig-zag configuration, asinuous configuration, etc. It should also be noted that each carriertape 12 and 14 may be provided with a plurality of the barrier strips.As is shown in FIG. 2, the carrier tape 14 is shown with two barrierstrips 28 and 29 and it is understood that the other carrier tape 12would have the same number of barrier strips but only a single barrierstrip 27 is shown on the tape 12 for the sake of clarity and brevity.

The method of making the slide fastener chain in accordance with thepresent invention starts with the two carrier tapes l2 and 14, and theinterlocking elements 16 and I8 thereon being engaged into the unitarycomponent forming the chain. A continuous chain is moved or fed at auniform speed under suitable tension to assure that the chain ismaintained in a taut condition without bunching and/or gathering. Themovement of the continuous chain is guided so as to conform to thepattern or configuration of the desired barrier strips. During suchguided movement, the tape edges [6 and 18 and the interlocking elements20 and 22 are isolated from adjacent portions of the tapes so as to beprecluded from deformation during subsequent steps in the operation.Such adjacent portions of the tapes are now ultrasonically deformedwhereby the finished chain is provided with the barrier strips 27 and28.

The described method of making a slide fastener chain has the particularadvantage of not removing any portions of the tapes but merelycompacting the textile matrix thereof into an interlocking fabricstructure. The simplicity of such method has the further advantage thatit may be performed by unskilled labor as well as by an automatedoperation. Consequently, the cost of manufacturing slide fastener chainaccording to the present invention has been accomplished in a relativelyinexpensive manner.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 57, apparatus for making the above describedslide fastener chain is indicated generally at 30 and includes aframework 32 supporting an ultrasonic generator 34 which may be of anyconventional type. An ultrasonic hammer 36 depends from the generator 34and terminates in a hammer head 38 including a pair of spaced parallelstriking faces 40 and 42 (see FIG. 6). An anvil disposed in cooperatingrelation with the ultrasonic hammer 36 is formed by wheel 44 which isrotatably in a U-shaped frame 46 by means of an axle 48 that is rotatedby any suitable motor means (not shown).

A pair of parallel anvil surfaces 50 and 52 extend around the peripheryof the wheel 44 in spaced relation to each other a distance conformingto the distance between the striking faces 40 and 42. A guide member,indicated generally at 54 in FIGS 5-7, is mounted on the frame 46 byattachment lugs 56 and 58 projecting from opposite ends of an integralconnector bar 60. As is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of spacedside walls 62 depend from one side of bar 60 adjacent the lugs 56 and58, respectively; similarly a second pair of spaced side walls 64 dependfrom the other side. The side walls 62 and 64 are thus spaced to permitclearance of the tape edges 16 and 18 and the interlocking elements 20and 22 during movement of the chain. The undersurface of the connectingbar 60 and adjacent parts of side walls 62 and 64 is formed as anarcuate undersurface 66 which is so shaped as to conform to theperiphery of the rotating wheel 44.

The mechanism for feeding the chain past the work area may be any typeof a movable transport surface, such as a traveling belt, a conveyormechanism, power driven pulleys, etc, selected in accordance with therequirements of particular apparatus and/or installation thereof. In theapparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport surface is shownas the peripheral surfaces 68 and 70 on the rotating wheel 44; theseperipheral surfaces 68 and 70 are provided with any suitable arrangementto define high friction surfaces so as to move the chain upon rotationof the wheel 44. As is apparent from FIG. 5, the chain feeding mechanismincludes tensioning and idler guiding pulleys 72, 74 and 76 adjustablysupported on the frame 46 by mounting arms 78, 80 and 82, respectively.

In the following description of a sequence of opera tion of theapparatus shown in FIGS. 5-7, it is assumed that first the slidefastener chain is passed around the rollers 72, 74 and 76 and threadedthrough the work area defined by the anvil and hammering surfaces 5052and 40-42, respectively. If desired, the threading operation may befacilitiated by means of a spring biased latch for releasing the guidemember 54. Accordingly, with the chain being set to proper tension bythe rollers, the wheel 44 is rotated at a uniform speed whereby thechain is moved past the work area. Simultaneously with the rotation ofwheel 44, the ultrasonic generator 34 is actuated as by a conventionalelectric switching device (not shown) causing the hammering surfaces 40and 42 to be reciprocated at a frequency set by the ultrasonic generator34. During such reciprocation, the hammer head 38 straddles the guidebar 60 without contacting the same so that the hammering surfaces 40 and42 compact the passing tape portions of the chain against the rotatinganvil surfaces 50 and 52, respectively. At the same time the tape edges16 and 18 and the interlocking elements of the chain are shielded bypassing in the spaces between the anvil and hammering surfaces.Accordingly, the tape portions are physically deformed into continuousbarrier strips arranged longitudinally with and spaced from adjacentedges of the tapes.

The frequency of the ultrasonic generator 34 and/or the rotating speedof the wheel 44 may be varied in accordance with optimum performancerequirements as well as to vary the type and/or pattern of the barrierstripsv Plural sets of anvil and hammering surfaces are utilized whenmultiple barrier strips (eg 29 in FIG. 2) are desired. It should also benoted that the ultrasonic generator 34 and/or the rotating wheel 44 maybe operated intermittently not only for the purpose of operatingperformance but also to preselect a particular pattern for the barrierstrips.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 has the particular advantage ofhigh speed operation whereby a large quantity of chain may bemanufactured in a relatively short period of time. In addition, theultrasonic hammer may be reciprocated at high speeds withouttransmitting vibrations to the chain guide member 54. It should also benoted that vibrations from the ultrasonic hammer are absorbed by thetapes of the chain since the anvil and hammering surfaces do not contacteach other but only the tapes therebetween.

A modification of the apparatus for making slide fastener chain isillustrated in FIG. 8 wherein an anvil and hammering surfaces do notcontact each other but only the tapes therebetween.

A modification of the apparatus for making slide fastener chain isillustrated in FIG. 8 wherein an anvil 84 is a fixed flat plate fromwhich a paor of spaced parallel anvil surfaces 86 and 88 projecttransversely. Outer surfaces 90 and 92 on the anvil 84 are generallysmooth to facilitate chain movement thereover; in this instance thechain is fed over such surfaces by any suitable drive means (not shown).The guide member 94 includes a mounting end 96 for attachment to aremote portion of the anvil 84. The guide member has a rectilinearundersurface 98 and a top wall I00 with depending side walls 102 and104.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is substantially the sameat that described above in connection with FIGS. 5-7 and is not beingdescribed again for the sake of brevity.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many modifications,variations and changes in details. it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown on the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is 1. In a slide fastener, the combination comprising apair of carrier tapes,

each tape having a textile matrix of interlaced warp and weft threads ofgenerally circular configurations,

an edge portion on each carrier tape,

said edge portions being oppositely disposed to each other, interlockingelements on each edge portion, the interlocking elements on one edgeportion adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the interlockingelements on the other edge portion,

compacted portions on said carrier tapes forming channelized sectionsextending longitudinally with and spaced from said edge portion, and

the warp and weft threads, which define the textile matrix of saidchannelized sections, having noncircular configurations.

2. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said channelizedsections include one such section for each carrier tape.

3. A slide fastener as recited in claim I wherein said channelizedsections include a plurality of such sections for each carrier tape.

4. A slide fastener as recited in claim 1 wherein said channelizedsections serve as barriers to arrest slippage of fabric elements whichform each carrier tape.

5. A slide fastener as recited in claim I wherein a slider is movablydisposed on said carrier tapes for engaging and disengaging saidinterlocking elements and said slider includes flange means disposed forslidable movement in said channelized sections.

6. A slide fastener as claimed in claim I wherein said channelizedsections are disposed adjacent and parallel to the edge portions of saidcarrier tapes.

7. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein the warp and weftthreads forming the textile matrix of said channelized sections areinterlocked with each other to arrest slippage between such warp andweft threads.

8. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 7 wherein the non-circularconfigurations of such warp and weft threads are generally rectangular.

9. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein said warp threads aremade of plastic material.

10. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein said weft threads aremade of natural fiber material.

1. In a slide fastener, the combination comprising a pair of carriertapes, each tape having a textile matrix of interlaced warp and weftthreads of generally circular configurations, an edge portion on eachcarrier tape, said edge portions being oppositely disposed to eachother, interlocking elements on each edge portion, the interlockingelements on one edge portion adapted to be engaged and disengaged withthe interlocking elements on the other edge portion, compacted portionson said carrier tapes forming channelized sections extendinglongitudinally with and spaced from said edge portion, and the warp andweft threads, which define the textile matrix of said channelizedsections, having non-circular configurations.
 2. A slide fastener asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said channelized sections include one suchsection for each carrier tape.
 3. A slide fastener as recited in claim 1wherein said channelized sections include a plurality of such sectionsfor each carrier tape.
 4. A slide fastener as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid channelized sections serve as barriers to arrest slippage of fabricelements which form each carrier tape.
 5. A slide fastener as recited inclaim 1 wherein a slider is movably disposed on said carrier tapes forengaging and disengaging said interlocking elements and said sliderincludes flange means disposed for slidable movement in said channelizedsections.
 6. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidchannelized sections are disposed adjacent and parallel to the edgeportions of said carrier tapes.
 7. A slide fastener as claimed in Claim1 wherein the warp and weft threads forming the textile matrix of saidchannelized sections are interlocked with each other to arrest slippagebetween such warp and weft threads.
 8. A slide fastener as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the non-circular configurations of such warp and weftthreads are generally rectangular.
 9. A slide fastener as claimed inclaim 8 wherein said warp threads are made of plastic material.
 10. Aslide fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein said weft threads are madeof natural fiber material.